Lincoln, from the many one

In his four years as president, Lincoln endured all of the cruel antagonism and
sever criticism directed at him. And the fact is that he not only endured the
slander but overcame it to secure victory in the Civil War and preserve the nation
-- a most amazing achievement. In the process, he also reorganized the American
military system expanded the limits of presidential authority, abolished slavery,
and renewed the spirit of patriotism in America. "

From Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips, pg 68.

The words "E Pluribus Unum", found on the back of the coin honoring Lincoln means "from the
many one". With recent attacks on the nation, additional discussion is
necessary. What is often forgotten about the civil war is that for
four years, 1861 to 1865, the state's rights system of government was put
into practice and failed. Confederate states could agree only to secede.
They could not even agree on a common currency and routinely ignored the
directives from Richmond, the Confederate capital. Then, and today owing
to the events of 9/11/2001, as a nation, we are wounded ... but in the
words
of Abraham Lincoln, "we will bind up our nation's wounds with the
strength and resolve of our people and emerge even stronger and more
determined."
It is the establishment
of systems that compels followers and defines leadership.